Santa Barbara Weekend Itinerary: 2 Days in the American Riviera

Headed to the California coast and planning a weekend trip to Santa Barbara?! Keep on reading for my complete Santa Barbara itinerary, full of all my favorite things to do, must-eats, and beautiful beaches!

There’s a reason Santa Barbara is dubbed the American Riviera – I mean, have you seen it?! The whole area is downright gorgeous – you’ll find long sandy beaches, Mediterranean-style white stucco buildings with red-tile roofs, rugged cliffs above sparkling blue waters, and a truly relaxed atmosphere.

A weekend in Santa Barbara really is the epitome of the laid-back California lifestyle, and I’m all for it! Who can say no to sipping cocktails in year-round sunshine and palm-lined beaches with the Santa Ynez Mountains as a dramatic backdrop?! Definitely not me!

After moving to San Francisco almost a decade ago (whoa, where does the time go?!), we’ve spent countless weekends in Santa Barbara. It’s honestly one of our favorite places on the entire California coast, and if we’re being truthful, the place we’d choose to move next (if only it had a major international airport – the one thing it’s lacking!). This sun-kissed California beach town is pretty much paradise, and you’ll never wanna leave. Just you wait, haha.

At first glance, Santa Barbara reminds us of San Clemente down the coast in Orange County. And surprise, surprise, we absolutely LOVE San Clemente and its chic Mediterranean feel! So it’s no coincidence that we absolutely adore Santa Barbara as well. Plus, Santa Barbara kinda reminds me of cities we love in the French Riviera (like Nice, Cannes, and Menton – with their sophisticated lifestyle, Mediterranean climate, and beautiful beaches). All so swoonworthy!

Santa Barbara is no hidden gem by any means, but since it’s further from a large airport, I’d say most people visiting are either local Californians, or those coming from out of state on a much-longer Pacific Coast Highway road trip.

I’m sharing an extensive guide to help you plan out your best Santa Barbara weekend trip possible. And since we have some local friends in the area, we always get the best recommendations — which I’m sharing with all of you of course! Let’s go!

Santa Barbara Weekend Getaway Logistics

Where is Santa Barbara and How to Get There

Santa Barbara is located on the central coast of California, about 90 miles northwest of Los Angeles. It’s situated along the Pacific Ocean, between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the coastline (meaning great views all around!).

It sits almost directly between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo (about an hour or so from each, although with traffic, definitely longer, haha.) Because of its location, it’s a great place to stop if you’re visiting both cities on a larger California trip, such as when you’re driving down the Pacific Coast Highway!

East of Santa Barbara you’ll find the Los Padres National Forest, with Santa Ynez River Recreation Area, Figueroa Mountain, and the Ojai Valley being popular spots in the forest (perfect for hiking and camping). And to the west you’ll find the wild Channel Islands National Park (high on my California bucket list).

How to Get to Santa Barbara

Because of Santa Barbara’s awesome location pretty much equidistant between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo, it’s pretty easy to get to Santa Barbara. A few options below:

Driving to Santa Barbara: If you’re coming from elsewhere in California (like us!), you can totally drive! Santa Barbara is right off Highway 101 (which runs north-south along the CA coast), so super accessible and not terribly, terribly far from most popular places in California.

Here’s some driving distances from popular spots in California (and nearby) to give you a sense of the time required (just make sure to account for some inevitable traffic of course, especially around LA):

From Los Angeles: 1 ½ hours, 95 miles
From San Luis Opisbo: 1 ½ hours, 95 miles
From Orange County: 2 hours, 130 miles
From Palm Springs: 3 hours, 200 miles
From San Diego: 3 ½ hours, 230 miles
From Big Sur: 4 ½ hours, 270 miles
From San Francisco: 5 hours, 325 miles
From Yosemite National Park: 5 ½ hours, 300 miles
From Las Vegas (Nevada): 5 ½ hours, 345 miles
From Lake Tahoe: 8 hours, 480 miles

→ Visiting Santa Barbara on a much longer Pacific Coast Highway road trip?! Check out all my favorite PCH stops right here!

Flying to Santa Barbara: Yes, there’s an airport right here in Santa Barbara (well, 15 minutes west in Goleta but close enough)! The aptly named Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), haha.

It’s not the hugest airport by any means (it’s actually quite small with only 1 terminal), but does have flights from major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, Denver, and Seattle. And it’s super close to downtown Santa Barbara (only 7 miles away), so you really can’t beat that!

The airport serves as a gateway to the Central Coast of California, so perfect if you’re planning to visit Santa Barbara (obviously), but also Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, and Paso Robles.

Public Transit to Santa Barbara

Already in SoCal/Central Coast and looking for public transit to Santa Barbara? There’s the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train! I highly recommend taking the train (instead of driving) especially if you need to drive through LA/OC (as there’ll probably be lots of traffic).

The train is super easy to use, not crazy expensive (around $30 from LA), and I have friends that swear by it! I’d probably use it myself if I lived along the train route. Plus, the Santa Barbara train station is located right downright, so super convenient.

It actually runs from San Luis Obispo all the way down to San Diego, so if you’re coming from further afield and don’t feel like driving, that’s a great option for ya! It’d be super fun to plan out a week-long train trip or something like that.

If you’re coming from up north (Northern California, Oregon, and even Washington), consider taking Amtrak’s Coast Starlight Train. It passes right through Santa Barbara on its daily route between Los Angeles and Seattle (yes, the full journey takes 35 hours!).

There’s also the Santa Barbara MTD (with plenty of bus routes from neighboring communities) and Greyhound (for those coming from further afield), as well as the Santa Barbara Airbus directly from LAX! The Santa Barbara Transit Center is the central hub for local and regional bus services, so if you’re planning to take the bus, expect to get off there.

How to Get Around Santa Barbara

On Foot: Due to Santa Barbara’s compact downtown area, it’s thankfully very walkable! State Street serves as the main street lined with shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, although its way longer than most people realize so I wouldn’t attempt to walk the entire length in one go unless you have a while. And the beaches and harbor are only steps away from downtown!

Driving in Santa Barbara: You can totally get by on foot if you just stay downtown, but if you wanna explore further afield (other beaches, gardens, foodie spots), it’s best to have a car.

Since we live in the SF Bay Area and typically drive down to Santa Barbara, we always have our car. And we seem to use it way more than we always think we will, haha. Some of our fave spots are a little distance away from State Street, like Butterfly Beach (come for sunset!), Old Mission Santa Barbara, Bettina (drool worthy pizza), and Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. You can of course always Uber to those though (no need to rent a car).

Parking: Of course, if you’re planning on driving around during your weekend in Santa Barbara, you’ll need to worry about parking. And it can definitely be challenging in some areas, especially downtown.

There’s plenty of parking lots both downtown and along the waterfront (that don’t break the bank), as well as street parking, but they do fill up. We’ve thankfully never had too much trouble finding parking, but always check the street signs carefully!

Biking: Santa Barbara is a super bike-friendly city, and you’ll see plenty of bike lanes and paths no problem. There’s a fair amount of bike rental shops as well as the city’s bike-share program (if your hotel doesn’t offer complimentary bikes). And there’s even two fully enclosed bicycle parking facilities – so you know this town is legit about its biking, haha.

We love strolling down the Cabrillo Bike Path right on the waterfront, but most people bike, haha.

Public Transit: Within Santa Barbara, you’ll find the SB Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) that operates a network of bus routes throughout the city. The Downtown Transit Center serves as the central hub for MTD buses, making it easy to transfer between routes. The buses are super affordable and convenient, and make stops at all of the popular touristy areas.

Rideshares: When all else fails, there’s always Uber and Lyft!

When to Plan your Weekend Trip to Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara enjoys a Mediterranean climate characterized by mild, (sometimes wet) winters and warm, dry summers. Is there really a bad time for a Santa Barbara weekend getaway? I think not, haha! With ~300 days of sun (rivaling that of San Diego and Albuquerque, NM), it’s almost perfect weather year round.

But the absolute best time to visit? During the shoulder season – early fall – since the weather’s practically perfect, but there’s fewer crowds and accommodations cost less. Plus, winter is cooler and can be a bit rainy unfortunately, and you probably won’t be able to go swimming without a wetsuit.

This coincides with our favorite time to visit SB – during the spring (late March to May) and the fall (September to late October).

BUT (of course there’s a but, haha), like other parts of the California coast (San Diego, Half Moon Bay, Big Sur, etc), Santa Barbara experiences what us Californians refer to as “May Gray, June Gloom”. And it’s exactly as it sounds – gray and gloomy with mostly overcast skies. The marine layer usually burns off by afternoon, but know you may have cloudy mornings May through June.

However, if you’re looking for that classic California beach vacation, you’ll wanna visit in the warm summer months of July and August (when days are long and the water is at its warmest). Do note that this is considered high season, and hotel prices and crowds will be higher than usual. Plus, the occasional heatwave, but there’s the ocean to cool off in!

Where to Stay in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara really has it all. From luxurious beachfront resorts with private bungalows and breakfast in bed, to charming boutique hotels and “budget-friendly” trendy motels.

In all honesty, we typically choose to stay in Lompoc (an hour north) or Galeta (15 minutes west) when we spend a weekend in Santa Barbara. I find the hotels in SB to be kinda crazy expensive (even more so on holiday weekends), especially since we don’t usually spend much time in the hotel itself. However, on our last few visits, we stayed in downtown Santa Barbara, and really enjoyed it…

With that being said, there’s some REALLY nice hotels in Santa Barbara, so if you’re celebrating something special, I say splurge a bit! And if it’s your first visit to the area but don’t wanna break the bank, there’s thankfully quite a few budget-ish options.

“Budget”/Value Hotels in SB:

Motel 6: We stayed here last summer and ended up LOVING it! It’s not your typical Motel 6 and felt more like a trendy boutique. It’s just steps from the beach and kinda retro in the best way possible.
The Franciscan Hotel: A few blocks from the beach and State Street, with complimentary cookies everyday and a super dog friendly property. Kona especially loved all the treats of course!
Castillo Inn: Simple place to stay just steps from the harbor, with large Italian-style rooms in a great location
Inn by the Harbor: Very manicured with lots of colorful plants and flowers, plus a pool and spacious rooms
Hotel Milo: Right off the beach with stylish rooms, a heated outdoor pool, and complimentary bike rentals
The Wayfarer: Located in the Funk Zone, this hostel-style hotel has both dorm-style beds and private rooms, along with communal spaces and bike rentals.

A few hotels on my wish list:

El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel: After brunching at the Belmond one morning, we were able to quickly check out the property (including the lux infinity pool), and OMG it’s absolutely gorgeous. I’ve heard the rooms, suites, and boutique spa are all kinds of luxury.
Palihouse Santa Barbara: An upscale Mediterranean-style boutique hotel that’s super stylish and fun; with a complimentary cocktail hour and diptyque toiletries (a brand I love)
Rosewood Miramar Beach: A 5* hotel over in nearby Montecito with panoramic Pacific Ocean views and lots of sophisticated luxury! Expect airy rooms on the beach and elegant dining, plus a spa and 2 outdoor pools!
Kimpton Canary Hotel: A super-stylish boutique hotel located right in downtown Santa Barbara with a rooftop pool, cool bar, and vibrant atmosphere. We even saw Andy Buckley (from The Office!) here last year!
Hotel Californian: A super chic hotel right in the heart of Santa Barbara’s waterfront district, with luxurious rooms, a rooftop pool, and Spanish-inspired architecture.
San Ysidro Ranch: The definition of luxury – luxe suites and private cottages on a chic ranch with flawlessly beautiful grounds complete with multiple restaurants and a spa. The ultimate dream. I’d love to go for their signature afternoon tea!

Hotels in Nearby Neighborhoods

If you’re trying to save on accommodation (hey, I get it, SB can be expensive!), consider finding a hotel in a nearby neighborhood instead. You have to really think if this is practical or not, as driving back and forth kinda cuts into the whole easy-breezy carefree-beach scene, haha.

Goleta: This little city is where you’ll find the Santa Barbara Airport and UC Santa Barbara, and only 15 minutes west of downtown SB or so. The Ritz Carlton Bacara is over here, a GORGEOUS oceanfront property with multiple pools, a luxury spa, and even access to a private beach. If you’re looking for something a bit more standard, check out the Hilton Garden Inn Goleta, Hampton Inn Goleta, and The Steward, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel.

Lompoc: Located an hour or so north, so I wouldn’t stay here if you’re spending a true weekend in Santa Barbara. It’s fine for a night if you’re driving down the California coast and planning to drive to SB the next morning for a day of exploring before getting on the road again. But it’s too far to be going back and forth to each and every day. The Embassy Suites Lompoc, Holiday Inn Express Lompoc, and Lompoc Valley Inn & Suites are all decent options.

Other Important FAQs for your Santa Barbara Itinerary

Why is Santa Barbara known as the American Riviera? I mean, have you seen the photos?! SB’s got a Mediterranean climate, beautiful coastline, and upscale lifestyle, which are reminiscent of the French and Italian Riviera regions (think Nice, Antibes, and Cinque Terre!). Plus, there’s also a wine country, particularly the Santa Ynez Valley, similar to the vineyards found in the Riviera regions of France and Italy!

Is a weekend in Santa Barbara really enough?! To be quite honest, every time we visit Santa Barbara we never wanna leave (kinda like when we visit Maui). There’s just something about the palm-lined beaches and laid-back California lifestyle that we could totally get used to. BUT you can really see the main highlights of the city with just 2 or 3 days in Santa Barbara. Including a wander down State Street, sunset at Butterfly Beach, wine tasting in the Funk Zone, sunbathing at the beach, and of course indulging in a cone at McConnells!

Is Santa Barbara considered Southern California? It really depends who you ask, haha! Everyone associates it with SoCal because of its near-perfect climate and coastal lifestyle. But other people consider it to be located on the Central Coast. So either it’s the northernmost point of Southern California, or the last city on the Central Coast – honestly, it’s hard to say!

Is Santa Barbara dog friendly? Yes – for the most part (besides the popular beaches). We’ve brought Kona on plenty of Santa Barbara weekend getaways and never felt limited as to what we could do. Sure, of course there’s some spots where dogs are not allowed, but for the most part we’re able to bring him almost everywhere (including plenty of restaurants).

Are dogs allowed on the beach in Santa Barbara? With that being said, unfortunately most beaches don’t allow dogs on the beaches, no matter the time of year. But head to Arroyo Burro Beach/Hendry’s Beach (one of the only dog-friendly beaches in the area) and you’ll see tons of furry friends running around.

Is Santa Barbara expensive? Yup, for visitors and locals alike. There’s no denying that Santa Barbara is one of the most expensive towns on the California coast. Hotels are expensive, food can be expensive (there’s lots of upscale spots here), and boutique shops are spendy. Bring your wallet, haha. But don’t worry, there’s loads of free activities (hello beach!) and even strolling down State Street is fun!

Architecture in Santa Barbara: I don’t usually touch upon architecture in my weekend itineraries, but so much of SB’s appeal lies in its Spanish colonial heritage. You’ll find whitewashed adobe walls, red tiled roofs, gorgeous wrought-iron details, painted tiles, and arched doorways. I could spend all day just photographing the area. Even the street names have history in Spain!

Where should I go after Santa Barbara? Ohh – good question! There’s SO much around this area, so you’ve got tons of options before/after your weekend in Santa Barbara. Not far is Solvang, the cutest little Danish town (with the best apple donuts), and a bit further is Pismo Beach, Paso Robles, Morro Bay, and San Luis Obispo (some of our faves on the Central Coast). Cambria is about 2 hours north, while you’ll find Ojai, Malibu, and eventually Santa Monica and Los Angeles (plus Universal Studios!) 1 ½ hours south.

Can I take a day trip to Santa Barbara from LA or OC? Totally! Since Santa Barbara’s less than 2 hours from LA, you can really do so much with just a day if you leave early enough. If you’re driving, be sure to factor in traffic (as there’s typically lots up the 101), and know that the train takes about 2 ½ – 3 hours. I truly think if you’re not local, you’ll love a weekend in Santa Barbara way more than a day trip from another area, just FYI.

WEAR SUNSCREEN! I repeat, slather on that sunscreen until you feel you’ve overdone it and then some. And yes, even when it’s cloudy. The sun here is strong – you’ll want to protect yourself better than I did (whoops). The lobster look doesn’t look good on anybody, I promise.

Santa Barbara Weekend Itinerary

Let’s get to it – the ultimate weekend in Santa Barbara itinerary coming right up!

Weekend in Santa Barbara Day 1

Day 1 of this Santa Barbara itinerary is fully walkable (unless you venture over to Hendry’s Beach with your dog)! That being said, definitely wear comfy shoes – we always get tons and tons of steps in SB!

Stop 1: Breakfast

Let’s start off this Santa Barbara itinerary at one of the best breakfast spots in town! There’s quite a lot to choose from (too many), but here’s my favorites:

Scarlett Begonia: Cal-American breakfast with fantastic cinnamon rolls and blueberry pancakes. Lots of comfort food with a creative twist – eat on the outdoor patio!
Alessia Patisserie: A French-style bakery with delicious croissants (the raspberry chocolate is my fave), plus a delicious banana french toast I could eat every damn day.
Oakberry: I first had these acai bowls in Sydney, Australia, and once I realized there’s a location in SB, you know I added this to my Santa Barbara itinerary straight away.

Belmond El Encanto: Looking for a bougie breakfast overlooking the beach? Make a reservation at the Belmond, a stunning property with a GORGEOUS infinity pool! You’ll need to drive over here, but promise it’s worth it!
Helena Avenue Bakery: House-baked breads and pastries plus breakfast sandwiches, salads, and soups. Don’t miss the avocado toast with cucumbers! Expect a long line but it moves fast!
Jeannine’s: A few locations in downtown SB (one on State Street and one near Stearns Wharf) with excellent pastries, scones, and french toast. Plus a great eggs benedict.

Stop 2: Hang at the Beach

You’re spending the weekend in Santa Barbara – of course you need to soak up some Vitamin D and hang at the beach! I mean, it’s really hard to ignore the sun-drenched sandy coastline. There’s swimming, sunbathing (my favorite, haha), volleyball, and other beach activities. You can even take a surfing lesson, rent a kayak, or go stand up paddling!

East Beach

East Beach is by far Santa Barbara’s most popular beach, and for a reason. It’s spacious, bordered by a grassy park lined with palm trees, and has gorgeous views of the Santa Ynez Mountains. I love sunbathing over here and going for long walks in Chase Palm Park, although you can totally go swimming and play some volleyball too.

Over by East Beach you’ll find two of my favorite spots:

Chromatic Gate in Cabrillo Park: By far the best IG spot in all of SB, and built in 1991 by Herbert Bayer, an Austrian-born artist who lived in the area for 10 years! It’s located on the other side of Cabrillo Blvd so keep an eye out for it, but trust me, that super fun rainbow structure is hard to miss. I’ve taken pics here half a dozen times, haha.

Chase Palm Park: A park located right on the waterfront bordering the beach, with SO many palm trees on the promenade! You’ve got to put this on your Santa Barbara itinerary. A great spot for a walk or bike ride!

West Beach

On the other side of the wharf, you’ll find West Beach, another one of the most popular beaches in Santa Barbara. It’s not too far from the Santa Barbara Harbor, with gentle waves and soft sand. There’s also volleyball nets if that’s your thing.

Pop into Brophy Bros overlooking the beach for some oysters or clam chowder if you’re getting hungry! Always a super popular place.

Leadbetter Beach

Walk past the harbor and you’ll see Leadbetter Beach, a great spot if you wanna learn how to surf (SB surf camp is held over here!). It’s a wide beach with some grills nearby – perfect for that beach bbq! Or you can always head over to Shoreline Cafe for a snack which is right over here.

Before or after getting all sandy, head up to Shoreline Park (dogs allowed on-leash!) for great views of the beach and plenty of walking paths. I saw an outdoor beachfront yoga class here on my last visit!

Hendry’s Beach (Arroyo Burro Beach)

If you brought your pup with you, you’ll 100% wanna come here (it’s the only beach where dogs are technically allowed off leash). We’ve come here plenty of times with Kona, and we all have tons of fun!

Note that Hendry’s Beach is about a 10 minute drive from downtown SB, so factor this into your Santa Barbara itinerary. The Boathouse Restaurant is right here, so… may as well head there for lunch!

Stop 3: Shopping and Lunch on State Street

Do any research on a weekend in Santa Barbara and you’ll definitely come across State Street – it’s SB’s most famous avenue afterall.

State Street is synonymous with Santa Barbara – it’s where you’ll find shops, restaurants, and of course the famous McConnell’s ice cream! It’s a consumer paradise that runs from Sola Street (northern end of State Street) down to Cabrillo Boulevard (southern end of State Street) and eventually to Stearns Wharf.

A few spots not to miss on State Street:

Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center: An open-air shopping center with a mix of national retailers, local boutiques, and specialty stores. Plus, I love taking pictures on the tiled steps, haha. The whole area is super stylish.
Santa Barbara Museum of Art: Worth a stop to see the diverse collection of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from various periods and cultures.
Santa Barbara Public Market: Here you’ll find a curated selection of artisanal food and drink vendors – think gourmet eateries, wine bars, and specialty food shops. Perfect for grabbing a quick bite to eat if you’re getting hangry before lunch.

The Granada Theatre: Take a quick look from the street – I love the elegant architecture of this historic performing arts venue! It’s got such a rich history and is really a landmark in downtown Santa Barbara.
LOKUM: Some of the best baklava I’ve ever had! Plus Turkish delights, herbal teas, and Turkish coffee. I love the space – it’s so beautifully decorated with tons of lanterns!
McConnell’s Ice Cream: This wouldn’t be a complete Santa Barbara itinerary if I didn’t include McConnells! It’s only the most popular ice cream shop in the entire city. And yes, it’s delish and worth the wait (the line moves fast).

Travel Tip: State Street is really long – it’s over 1 ½ miles. With that being said, make sure you’re planning out your Santa Barbara itinerary carefully so you’re not running back and forth. That’d be super brutal in the heat!

Also, note that State Street isn’t the only street where you’ll find restaurants, shops, and tourist activities downtown. Anacapa Street, State Street, and Chapala Street all run parallel to each other, so veer off State Street a bit!

Stop 4: DIY Walking Tour of Jeff Shelton Architecture

Visiting Jeff Shelton houses aren’t something I typically see on a Santa Barbara itinerary. But if you’re even the least bit interested in architecture, do not miss visiting at least one or two. I repeat, DO NOT MISS THE JEFF SHELTON HOUSES!

So, so unique, and I love all his whimsical and colorful designs. I mean, just look at those tiles – can you blame me?! And that use of bougainvillea!

But wait – who’s Jeff Shelton anyways? He’s a well-known architect in Santa Barbara with buildings famous for their bold colors, intricate details, and unique style. Here’s a few of my favorite ones within walking distance from State Street:

The Chapel (1330 State Street)
El Andaluz (325 West Haley Street)
Villa Sueno Azul (118 Chapala Street)
The Cota Street Studios (812 East Cota Street)
El Zapato (819 Bath Street)

Stop 5: Drinks in the Funk Zone

Walk west towards the water under the underpass and you’ll happen upon the Funk Zone, a vibrant and eclectic neighborhood in downtown Santa Barbara. It’s known for its artsy vibe, colorful murals and boutiques, trendy eateries, and plenty of wine tasting rooms and craft breweries (like Validation Ale and Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co).

I refer to it as SB’s arts district, and we always find ourselves over here (a few times!) on every visit to Santa Barbara.

Don’t feel like trekking all the way to Santa Ynez for some wine? Okay fine, it’s not that far (about 45 minutes or so), BUT you could totally stay in Santa Barbara and not have to worry about (drinking and) driving.

Check out the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail – a whole slew of tasting rooms (over 20!) right in downtown SB and all totally walkable from each other. Don’t miss Pali Wine Co. Wine Garden, Santa Barbara Winery, and Margerum (with quite possibly the best charcuterie board in all of SB) – all from local Santa Barbara county wineries on the other side of the hill.

Wine not your thing? Don’t fret – we love Test Pilot for handcrafted tiki-inspired cocktails, and I heard Pearl Social is perfect for cozy vibes and live music.

Pop into The Blue Door (an eclectic vintage shop with tons of interesting pieces) and SB mid mod (all highly curated and super unique) while you’re over here!

Stop 6: Dinner in Downtown Santa Barbara

There’s SO many restaurants to choose from (I swear, SB really has the best food), so you can’t go wrong. Here’s a few of our favorites:

The Lucky Penny: Wood-oven artisan pizza and frozen rose! The perfect combo in a shaded outdoor space.
Brophy Bros: Seafood dinner right on the water with lots to choose from – clam chowder, fish n chips, calamari, oysters rockefeller, seafood linguine, and more
Sama Sama: a cool farm-to-fork spot with Southeast Asian plates with unique drinks, the best vibe, and a courtyard with string lights
Secret Bao: Don’t even look at the menu – get the KFC bao, sweet potato dumplings, and kalbi. Plus the mango sticky rice bingsu is all kinds of heavenly.

Santa Barbara FisHouse: A great seafood spot with a sunny patio and palm tree views – the coconut shrimp is our absolute fave
Zaytoon: Lebanese and Middle Eastern food with romantic fairy garden vibes. Plus an outdoor fire pit, string lights, and tons of greenery.
Flor de Maiz: Classic Mexican dishes with Oaxacan flavors – my mole enchiladas were *chefs kiss*.

Stop 7: Sunset from Stearns Wharf

After dinner (or before, depending on what time of year you visit!), head over to Stearns Wharf for sunset. It’s a historic pier, which, fun fact, is actually the oldest operating pier on the West Coast of the US, dating back to 1872!

We LOVE the views from the wharf – there’s not only the stunning Santa Barbara coastline, but also the Channel Islands and the Santa Ynez Mountains.

I love coming here for sunset – the way the light hits the water is really something else! California wins in my book (there’s a reason we moved here after all… wink wink).

Santa Barbara Itinerary Day 2

Today will be easiest with a car, but you can totally use Uber to get around.

Stop 1: Crazy Coffees at Caje

Start off your day (like any other day!) with some much-needed caffeine! Sure, there’s tons of coffee in Santa Barbara (think Handlebar, Dart Coffee, Dune Coffee, etc), but I’ve never seen anything like the crazy coffee concoctions at CAJE!

They’re crazy expensive, at over $10 a pop, but easily the most delicious coffee drinks I’ve ever had. Note that there’s a few locations in the city, but they don’t all serve the same drinks. We love the options at Caje Coffee over on Haley Street, although it’s a tad outta the way.

Stop 2: Santa Barbara County Courthouse

Once you’re all coffee-d up, make your way over to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. It’s an iconic Santa Barbara historical landmark (and architectural gem!), with impressive greenery and even more impressive views.

Santa Barbara is known for its Spanish-Colonial architecture, and the SB County Courthouse is a great example of it. Think red-tiled roofs, white stucco walls, decorative tilework, wrought iron details, and so many colorful murals! There’s a grand central tower, elegant arched passageways, a tiled dome, grand open hallways, and a bunch of gorgeous courtyards and sunken gardens.

Imagine getting married here – wow (those pictures must be stunning).

And if the building isn’t spectacular enough, the incredible 360 degree views of Santa Barbara and beyond certainly are! We love climbing to the top of the 85-foot-tall clock tower (for free!) for panoramic views of downtown Santa Barbara, the Santa Ynez Mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. I love a good view – just ask my husband, haha. If there’s one thing you take away from this Santa Barbara itinerary – make it this.

Just note you’re visiting when the courthouse is actually open – you can’t climb up when it’s closed! Entrance is through the arched passageway – it’s impossible to miss. There’s a parking lot across the street on Anacapa – and the first 75 minutes are free.

Stop 3: Old Mission Santa Barbara

Up next on your Santa Barbara itinerary — the “Queen of the Missions”! A worthy nickname given its exceptional beauty!

The Old Mission Santa Barbara is an iconic Spanish mission that needs to be included on any weekend in Santa Barbara. The grounds are huge (15 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean!), with the beautiful Mission Church, historic cemetery and mausoleum, a museum filled with historical artwork and artifacts, plus a few lush gardens.

You can either do a self-guided audio tour of the grounds, a one-hour guided tour on select weekends, or simply wander for a bit yourself (what we typically do).

If you’re not feeling tacos (our next stop), bring a picnic lunch to the mission and lay out on the grass near the rose garden!

Stop 4: Lunch at La Super-Rica Taqueria

Before leaving downtown for the day, make a pit stop for lunch at La Super-Rica Taqueria, a super casual authentic Mexican joint on Milpas Street.

And get this – it’s Julia Child’s favorite restaurant (oh, the irony!), and where she would eat in Santa Barbara when she lived here! The taqueria’s known for its long and slow lines (yes, the same line Julia Child stood in!), but the handmade corn tortillas are legit and all kinds of amazing (and worth the wait).

Our faves are the spicy bean gordita, sandia agua fresca, and al pastor taco. But I promise you’ll love anything in their fresh tortillas – they’re far superior than others I’ve had in the states, and even on par with those in Mexico.

Bring enough cash to try a few things – this old-school spot still doesn’t take credit cards, haha.

Stop 5: Outdoor Activities

Once you’re nice and full from fresh tortillas and agua frescas, it’s time for some adventuring! With only a weekend in Santa Barbara you unfortunately can’t do it all, so pick and choose your favorite activity.

Hiking: There’s plenty of trails in Santa Barbara County, and really something for everyone (from easy, flat paths through manicured gardens to difficult climbs high above the Pacific). Here’s a few popular hikes:

Inspiration Point: A moderate 3.75-mile round trip trail to reach stunning panoramic views about 1,800 feet above Santa Barbara. That quintessential Santa Barbara hike with the best vistas!
Seven Falls: A dog friendly hike (3.2 miles out and back) with some rock scrambling and a little climbing (so wear sturdy shoes). Bring a bathing suit to take a dip in the falls!
La Cumbre Vista Point: Expect beautiful views of the Santa Barbara coastline, and even the Channel Islands on a clear day. Sunrise is especially epic at this super short hike (only .3 miles out and back) and it’s even dog friendly!

Gardens: Strolling around lush greenery more your thing? Thankfully there’s a few good spots for that:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden: A gorgeous space filled with native California plants (including a small redwood forest, a Japanese tea garden, and cactus garden) and seasonal exhibits and other creative spaces. And plus, dogs are welcomed, so we’re able to bring little Kona with us!
Lotusland: Here you’ll find multiple gardens within a gorgeous estate – we’ve never been, but it’s high on my list for next time (although a little pricey in my opinion at $60/person). Make sure to reserve your spot well in advance; this place gets booked up fast!

On the water: Prefer to head out on the water? Thankfully SB’s got tons of that being right on the coast and all:

Sailing: SB Sailing Center has catamaran coastal cruises as well as catalina yachts, sailing lessons, and even whale watching at certain times of year!
Kayaking: Interested in seeing some marine wildlife (dolphins anyone?!)? Sign up for a guided kayaking tour of the coast, with spectacular views of the city and sandy beaches.
Stand-up paddling: Want a relaxing paddle on the water? Rent a stand up paddleboard and look out for sea lions, seals, and dolphins!

Day trip to Solvang

Solvang has got to be one of the cutest little areas in all of California, and it’s only 45 minutes away from SB, so definitely possible as a day trip! Spend the afternoon wandering traditional Danish streets, popping into authentic Danish bakeries, and admiring the windmills and gabled roofs. It’s tiny and only a few streets, so not a huge time commitment if you wanna do other things as well.

Don’t leave without snacking on some mouth-watering aebleskiver (danish fried donut balls with raspberry jam – yum).

Stop 6: Dinner at Bettina

You’re probably hungry and ready for some dinner at this point, so while you can totally choose another of my favorite restaurants from the list above on Day 1, I highly recommend Bettina. It’s a SB staple, so you’ll definitely wanna make a reservation.

Bettina’s the perfect spot if you’re craving some pizza (our pepperoni pie with honey was divine). Something about that sourdough crust just really hits the spot. The table next to us ordered meatballs and arancini and boy did those look and smell amazing, haha. Don’t miss the caesar salad if you want some greens – so, so fresh and the little breadcrumbs really made the dish!

Yes, it’s a 10-minute drive from downtown SB in nearby Montecito, but it’s super close to our sunset spot (up next).

Stop by Rori’s Artisanal Creamery for some ice cream afterwards (we LOVE the peanut butter candy flavor) – it’s right next door!

Stop 7: Sunset from Butterfly Beach

The last stop on our weekend in Santa Barbara itinerary is a good one – sunset at Butterfly Beach, arguably the best beach in all of SB. It’s only a few minutes from Bettina, located in the upscale neighborhood of Montecito, just south of SB.

Quintessential California, and it’s hardly ever crowded (guess the masses don’t know about this spot just yet!).

This is always our favorite thing we do during long weekends in Santa Barbara, and it’s easy to see why. Look how gorgeous the views are! We love walking on the paved trail/bike bath above the beach, and I of course love taking photos of the flowers. Plus, street parking isn’t too difficult, which is much appreciated, haha.

Hope this helps you plan the ultimate Santa Barbara weekend itinerary! Are you headed to the American Riviera soon?!